Ag News
GA FFA members win national awards at 98th FFA convention
Posted on Nov 19, 2025 at 14:23 PM
The Georgia FFA Association’s success at the 98th National FFA Convention was highlighted by six national champions. Among Georgia’s national winners were four national proficiency award winners and two national Career Development Event (CDE) and Leadership Development Event (LDE) winners.
Brooklyn Parlor of Jeff Davis (Equine Science - Entrepreneurship), Lindsy Moore of Ware County (Specialty Animal Production), Olivia Hogg of LaGrange (Environmental Science & Natural Resources Management) and Elizabeth Griner of Pierce County (Forest Management & Products) were each named national FFA proficiency award winners for success in their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs. Only four students in the nation are named national finalists in each of 45 proficiency areas. Georgia had 16 national proficiency award finalists and four proficiency winners.
The Mary Persons FFA Chapter, from Monroe County, won first place in the Forestry CDE. Team members included Ryan Bertram, Joseph Thompson, Carter Johnson, Liam Parks and Georgia FFA’s Central Region Forestry teacher Ryan Smith. This is the second consecutive year the chapter has won first place in the national competition. All four members of the team placed in the Top 10 for their individual scores. Parks placed first; Thompson second; Bertram fourth and Johnson seventh.
Georgia FFA’s other national champion in national Career/LDE at the convention was Makena Blalock of Sonoraville (Employment Skills LDE). Georgia’s other top-five finishers in CDE/LDEs include Jabe Andrews of Banks County (second place – Prepared Public Speaking LDE), Bella Grace Hambrick of Madison County (second place – Agricultural Education) and Joel Vasquez-Marisiott of Washington Middle and Samantha Pazmino of Central of Carroll (third place, fifth place; respectively – Spanish Creed Invitational).
Along with the six national champions, Georgia FFA had four runners-up in the national Agriscience Fair including Macie Davis of Youth Middle (Food Products & Processing – Division 1), Avery Adams and Ella Gran of Youth Middle (Food Products & Processing – Division 2), Abigail Griffin of Berrien County (Environmental/Natural Resources – Division 5) and Katie Brown and Anna Barker of Youth Middle (Plant Systems – Division 2). Georgia FFA also had eight agriscience fair projects placing in the top five of their division.
The National Chapter Award Program recognizes FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. Hahira Middle and Pine Grove Middle were both named finalists in the Middle School Models of Excellence division. Hahira Middle was also a finalist in the Strengthening Agriculture division while Pine Grove Middle was a finalist in the Growing Leaders division.
Thirty-seven Georgia chapters received a national three-star ranking, the highest ranking offered in the National Chapter Award program. Georgia’s three-star chapters are Apalachee, Atkinson County, Berrien County, Brooks County, Cambridge, Camden County, Commerce, Commerce Middle, Creekview, Denmark, Franklin County, Franklin County Middle, Golden Isles Career Academy, Hahira Middle, Jackson-Empower, Jefferson City, Lafayette Middle, Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe, Loganville Middle, Madison County, Madison County Middle, Malcom Bridge Middle, Morgan County Middle, Newton College and Career Academy, North Oconee, Oglethorpe County, Peach County, Pine Grove Middle, Rabun County, Russell Middle, Screven County, South Effingham, Sumter County, T.J. Elder Middle, Walnut Grove, Winder-Barrow and Youth Middle.
Eight Georgia FFA members performed as a part of the National FFA Band, Chorus and Talent program, which features FFA members from across the nation who showcase their skills throughout general sessions, luncheons and other convention events. Leland Guay and Tristen Robins of Northwest Whitfield, Daniel Jones of Rabun County, Laney Fussell of West Laurens and Will Bean of Dawson represented Georgia in the National FFA Band. Georgia FFA members who performed as talent participants included Trevor Dooley of Newton College and Career Academy and Hunter Boswell and Remington Boswell of Oglethorpe County.
A total of 182 Georgia FFA members received the prestigious American FFA Degree, the highest degree offered to an active member. These students spent years developing their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs to reach this honor. Fewer than 1% of FFA members receive the American FFA Degree.
To see a complete list of Georgia’s 2025 American FFA Degree recipients, visit https://gfb.ag/GaFFAnatwinners25.
Thirteen Georgians received the Honorary American FFA Degree for their outstanding contribution to Agricultural Education and the FFA. Georgia’s recipients of the Honorary Degree included: Kailee Bennett, Tracy Champagne, Seth Crawford, Nick DiLuzio, Dana Goff, Spencer Highsmith, Nathan Lingenfelter, Kellie Lingenfelter, Jody Kemp, Lanie Riner, Joshua Rogers, Jerry Stone and Cale Watkins.
A complete set of results and a variety of highlights from the 98th National FFA Convention can be found at https://www.georgiaffa.org/NationalFFAConvention.
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